The Joint Strike Fighter program office today announced today that Pratt & Whitney began ground testing the second of two developmental engine designs for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Concept Demonstrator Aircraft (CDA). The F119-SE-614 engine for the Boeing concept began testing on June 22. The JSF engines are derivatives of the F119 engine that powers the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor. The F119 for the F-22 has more than 6,000 hours of ground testing to date. The engine contract award was made 18 months ago.

The initiation of engine testing is the most significant accomplishment so far in the Joint Strike Fighter Concept Demonstration Program. Development and integration of the propulsion system is recognized as one of the highest risk areas of the JSF program. The success of the engine development program is the key to demonstrating the affordability objectives of the multi-service concept.

"Testing of the Joint Strike Fighter engines is the first major step in a long road to provide an affordable and effective weapon system to the warfighter," said Maj. Gen. Leslie Kenne, JSF program director. "The Boeing engine test proves that the JSF program is on-track and headed in the right direction. The people at Pratt and Whitney have performed superbly and should be commended for their efforts."

Boeing and Lockheed Martin are each developing competing aircraft concepts for JSF. Following flight testing of the aircraft, one of these aircraft manufacturers will be selected to build a single family of aircraft to serve the future strike needs of the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps, Britain's Royal Navy, and other allies. The propulsion system for the Marine Corps and Royal Navy versions of the JSF will enable those services to operate Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft variants.

The JSF Program is currently in the Concept Demonstration Phase (CDP). Flight-testing will begin in 2000, with down-select for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (E&MD) Phase planned for 2001. First delivery of operational aircraft is anticipated in 2008.

Additional information on the Joint Strike Fighter Program can be found at http://www.jast.mil or by contacting JSF Program Office Public Affairs at (703) 602-7390, extension 6664.